Plug valve



July 22, 1941- s. c. CARTER 2,250,124

PLUG VALVE Filed may f?, 1940 2 sheets-sheet 1 l.: 20 n i g: ily?? y L July 22,1941. s.. c. cARTER Y 2,250,124

PLUG VALVE I Filed May 7, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 32 2V a; i? 22 1 5,7 l l Z' j l Patented `luly 22, 1941 Application May 7, 1940,. Serial No. 333,727

, 11 Claims.

This invention relates to valves and relates more particularly to valves of the plug cock or stop cock class. A general object of this invention is to provide a practical and particularly eiiective valve of this character.

Great diiculty has been encountered in p roviding a practical stop cock or plug valve that will assure a tight seal or shut oil and yet will be easy to operate. Where a tight seal has 4been obtained therehas been diiculty inoperating or turning the plug .and where the valve has been' constructed to assure easy plug operation there has been leakage or loss of pressure. Plug valves have been introduced embodying lubricating means for supplying lubricant under pressure to cooperation or pressure engagement and making the use of common gaskets, packing glands, etc. unnecessary at the bonnet and the stem of the plug.

Another object of this inventionis to provide a plug valve in which the plug may be a simple, i cylindrical part that is inexpensive to manufacture and easy `to turn undenall pressure and temperature conditions.

Another object of this invention is to provide a i plug valve in which the cylindrical plug is suby stantially balanced at all times to be free for the sealing faces and thus form what is termed a lubricant seal, the intention being to overcome the sticking of the metal to metal sealing surfaces and to maintain a iilm of lubricant to act as a seal. Such lubricated plug valves are not practical or successful, particularly Where the fluid handled is under high pressures, is at a high temperature, or dissolves the lubricant. The lubricant of such valves Washes away, leaks away, and` is penetrated by the fluid under pressure, resulting in leakage and loss of pressure. Furthermore, lubricated plug valves are costly and cumbersome.

Another object of this invention is to provide a plug cock embodying means for forming uid tight and pressure tight seals that are imper viousA to and unaifected by practically all uids, unaffected by high temperatures and do not interfere with the free operation or turning of the plusr i Another object of this invention is to provide a plug valve that does notdepend upon the direct metal to metal contact of the valve parts or the sealing action of a. lubricant but embodies means for forming metallic sealing gaskets between the plug parts and the body parts that are eiective in preventing tire leakage of uid and pressure and that do not interfere with the free opera-' tion of the plug. y

Another object of the "invention is to provide a plug cock of the character referred Yto embodying a novel system of bleeder ports whereby the valve may be easily tested to determine if there is leakage at any point. A

Another object of this invention is to provide a plug cock in which novel meansare provided to produce metallic sealing gaskets between the surfaces of thebodygand the plug toassure dependable seals making it unnecessary-to bring the surfaces of the body and plug into wedging easy rotation, there being no end pressures on the plug or its stem to interfere with free operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a plug valve of the character referred to embodying novel means for distributing the gasket forming packing material to the sealing chambers and channels.

A further object of this invention is to provide a plug valve capable of eiectively handling iluids at very high pressures that is simple and 'inexpensive of manufacture.

The various objectsand features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of typical preferred forms and applications of ,my invention, throughout which description reference is made to ther aclcoinpanying drawings, in which:

' by line 2-2 Aon Fig` 1. Fig. 3 is a transverse detailed sectional view taken substantially as in-' dicated by line 3-3 on Fig. l, illustrating a portion of the system of packing carrying ports. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical detailed sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line on Fig. 3, the packing being omitted to bettei-.illustrate the port system, Fig. 5 is afragmentary vertical detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 5-5 on Fig. 2 and Fig. 6 isV a view similar to Fig. 4 illustrating a modified form of I construction, the packing being omitted to better illustrate thel port system.

The improved plug valve of this invention maybe said to comprisergenerally, a body l0 having a fluid passage ll, aplug I2 in thebody Ik for controlling the passage ll, and packing means for sealing between the body l0 and the plug l2.

The body i3 is adapted to b e connected in a pipe line or conduit and may be varied somewhat to adapt it 'or diierent installa-lions. In the Viianges-I4 for communication with the pipe line.

A transverse socket or opening I5 is provided in the body I to intersect the iiuid passage II. In accordance with the invention the opening I is cylindrical as distinguished from the tapered openings of the usual plug cocks. 'I'he opening I6 extends downwardly from the upper end of the body I8 and its lowerv end is closed by an integral body wall I6. A bonnet or head I1 is secured to the upper end of the body III by studs I8 and nuts I8. The head I1 may directly seat on the flat top surface of the body III, there being no need for gaskets at this point as the packing means I3 of the invention serves to prevent the leakage of fluid from under the head. The head I1 is provided with an inwardly projecting boss l 20 fitting or occupying the upper portion of the opening I5. The lower or inner end oi' the opening 'I5 is provided with a flat upwardly facing seat 2'I.

The plug I2 is arranged in the opening I5 tol control or-close the body passage II. It is a feature of the invention that the plug I2 may be a simple cylindrical part. T'ne cylindrical plug I2 is proportioned and finished to fit the body opening I6 with suitable working clearance, it being a feature that the plug need not closely iit the walls of the opening. An opening y9 extends transversely through the plug I2 to register with the passage II when the plug is in the open position. The upper and lower ends of the plug I2 may be in whole or in part iiat, and are spaced above and below-the fluid passage II. A central stem 22 extends upwardly from the top of the plug' I2 passing through a central opening 23 in the head I1. 'I'he plug stem 22 projects upwardly beyond the head I1 and its projecting portion is formed for engagement by a turning tool or carries a suitable handle means. In the typical case illustrated the projecting portion of y the stem 22 is flat sided for engagement by a wrench or the like. It will be observed that no packing is required around the plug stem 22, the improved packing means I3 of the invention serving to prevent the leakage of uid upwardly around the stem.

The packing means I3 is an important feature u of the invention. The packing means I8 employs or includes a metallic or partially metallic packing material P that is solid at normal pressures and temperatures and that is capable of limited distortion and flow .only vwhen subjected to very high pressures. In practice I prefer to employ a packing material of the general character described in Letters Patent No. 2,183,347 granted to myself and Julian A. Campbell, on December 12,

1939. The packing means I3 includes a system of ports and chambers in the body structure for handling the semi-solid or partially plastic packing material P. The character and materials of the' packing P may, of course, be varied. In some cases the packing P may be a mixture oflead flakes and synthetic rubber. 4 'Ih'is system of ports and passages includes four equally spaced vertical ports 24 in the body III spaced outwardly or radially from the wall of the body opening I5 and occurring at the opposite sides of the passage II. As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings there are two spaced ports 24 at each side of the iiuid passage II in spaced adjacent relation to the lines of juncture of the passage II and the opening I5. The ports 24 may extend downwardly from the upper end of the body III to adjacent the. plane of the bottom of the opening I5. In the form of the invention being described the ports 24 are straight cylindrical bores and each has a slot 25 joining or leading to the opening I5, see Fig. 2. The slots 25 are continuous and may extend throughout the length of the ports 24. In the preferred arrangement the slots 25 have iiat parallel walls and the slots arequite narrow. The packing P discharged or extruded through the slots 25 seals against the surface of the plug I2 and is distorted laterally from the sides of the slots 25 to form vertical sealing gaskets. 'I'hese sealing gaskets are at opposite sides of the passage II at both the upstream sides of the plug I2 to positively prevent the leakage of iluid around the plug I2.

The -port system for carrying the packing material yfurther includes an annular groove 26 above the passage .I L and an annular groove 21 below the passage I I. The upper groove 26 is preferably formed in the boss.20 of the head I1. The groove 26 may be provided in the periphery of the boss 20 and as illustrated may be a fiatwalled groove of substantial depth. The groove 26 'is annular and continuous extending completely around the boss 20. A reduced passage or slot 28 extends downwardly from the groove 26 to the lower end of the boss 20. The slot 26 is formed in the periphery of the boss 20 being provided by reducing the external diameter of the lower portion of the boss. 'I'hus the slot 28 is a downwardly extending continuation of the groove 26. It will be observed that the wall of the cylindrical opening I5 serves to close or dene the outer side of the groove 26 and its slot 28. The groove or slot 28 t 'na s at the lower -face of the boss 2li so that the packing P extruded therefrom seals against the upper face or end of the plug I2, forming an annular gasket between the end of the plug and the bottom of the boss 20. This sealing gasket prevents the leakage of iiuid pressure at or past the upper end of the plug I2. The packing P in the groove 26 and the slot 28 of course seals between the boss 20 and the wall of the opening I5 to prevent the upward leakage of uid around the boss, thus eliminating the necessity for gaskets or sealing means between the' head I1 and the upper end of the body II). The groove 26 forms a packing supply chamber for the slot 28 and a pressure equalizing chamber behind the slot 28 and further forms a distributing channel for carrying the packing P to the vertical ports 24. Short lateral ports 29 of ample capacity are formed in the f 30 is arranged in the lower portion of the opening I5-to assist in defining the groove 21. In

the construction being described the ring 30 is a separate or individual part of heavy construction force-fitted or otherwise secured in the opening I5 to bear on the seat 2|. The ring 30 presents a flat upper face which opposes the lower end of the plug- I2. The groove 21 is similar in shape to the groove 26 but is inverted relative to the groove 26 and formed principally in the body tical and concentric.

metallic packing P forced from the mouth of the slet di seals between the face of the ring d@ and the lower end of the plug l2 to prevent the lealtage of iluid under the plug. The packing P in the groove 21 and the slot BI eectively seals about the ring 30 to prevent the leakage of fluid under the ring. As will be seen from an inspection oi Fig. d the groove 21 passes through or terminates the slots 25 and joins or communicates with the' axial ports 2t. Thus the ports 2li serve as delivery passages conducting the packing P to the groove 21. 'I'he four equally spaced ports 2d supplying the packing material P to the groove 2l assure an even distribution oi the packing and an equalized pressure on the packing-throughout the groove 2l. It is to be notedthat the pressure on the packing P at the vertical slots 25 is diametrically balanced while the packing pressures at the slots 2d and 3i are axially opposed and balanced so that no unequal pressures are exerted on the plug I2 by the packing P to interfere with the free turning lof the plug. The body I6, the plug I2, the head I1 and the ring are of heavy construction at the ports 2, slots 25; grooves 28 and 21 andthe slots 28 and 3l; so that the packing P occupying the port and groove system may be put under very high pressures without distorting the structure. ,In practice thepacking P may be plaed under a pressure of 20,000 pounds per square inch or more. l

The means for supplying the packing P to the port and groove'system described above, and for putting the packing P course, be varied con derably. It is preferred to provide the plug stem' 22,with the pressure developing means and packing .supply means. A longitudinal opening 32 enters the 4sten 22 from its upper end and extends downwardly to a point adjacent the plug I2,- see Fig. A cylinder sleeve LIllines the opening 32. The sleeve 33 has an upper portion threaded inthe opening 22' and has' a ilange 34 bearing on the upper end of the stem 22. The lower end oithe cylinder sleeve I2 is'spaced above the bottom'of the opening l2 to form a downwardly -faclng shoulder 35. The sleeve I3 being spaced above the bottom of the opening 32 leaves a substantialv packing supply chamber. Two diametrically opposite ports 26 extend downwardly and outwardly in the stem 22 from the lower supply portion of the opening 324see Fig. 4. The outer ends of the ports 36 are adapted to communicate withsupply ports or delivery ports 31 inl the body head I1. There are four equally spaced -ports 31- leadl ing downwardly and outwardly to the groove 26. The ports l31 join the groove at the lateral ports 21 so that the packing material or packing P is delivered to both the groove 2l and the vertical ports 24. An annular groove 22!l is formed in the stem 22 to join or partially .register with thoportsvli. The-packing? in the groove 22' seals about the stem 22 and it is unnecessary to provide a packing gland for the stem di.

with an extension or annular slot 3i lil The annular gasket oi under pressure may, of

A ram or plunger de enters the cylinder sleeve 32 from its upper end and is threaded in a nut es suitably secured to the upper part of the sleeve d8. ln practice the nut 3d may be threaded on the sleeve 33 to bear against the ange 3d. A suitable hand wheel d0 is secured to the upper end oi the plunger sa. The plunger tu is adapted to be actuated downwardly or inwardly to compress the packing P and to put the packing in the port and groove system under the desired operating pressure. lt may be desired to provide a check valve means to prevent a substantial reduction ,in the pressure on the packing P in 'the port and groove system when the plunger 38 moves against the shoulder 3d to stop or limit this reverse how.

., The invention includes a novel and very eiectivebleeder means or test means for determining the condition of the valve. This bleeder means l includes a chamber ln the ring 3@ and a simllar chamber 8i in the underside of the head boss 20 in surrounding relation to the stem 22. The chambers Bil and BI are adapted to receive any leakage there may be at the ends or the plug i2. A vertical oiset port 62 extends through the plug I2 and connects the chambers 6d and 6i. A port l'extends upwardly through the boss 20 and into the head I1 to join a horizontal angular port 6d. 'I'he horizontal port 66 leads to a vertical opening 65 in the head I'I. A port 68 extends downwardly from the opening 65 to Join a horizontal port B1. This structure is illustrated in Fig. 5.l The port 61 communicates with the opening I5 at one side of the longitudinal axis o! the valve and at a pointwhere it has 4communication with the opening s of the plug I2 when theplug is in the closed position. This relationship is illustrated in Fig. 3. A radial discharge bleeder opening 6l extends outwardly from'the opening 65 to the periphery of thef head il.

A plug I9 is threaded in the opening 65 and has an annular groove 10 between its ends communicating with the port I4 and the discharge opening 6I. A longitudinal opening 1I Vextends upwardly in the plug 89 and has its lower end in communication with the vertical port 6i. One

' ing n.

I2 is received in the opening 8 and flows through or more lateral openings 12 are formed in the plug i2 to put the port 1I in communication with the annular groove 1l. Leakage iluid from the chambers 60 and Il ilows through the horizontal port I4 and the groove 10 to the discharge open- Fiuid that may leak around the plug the ports I1, 66, ll'iand 12 to discharge into the groove 1I and opening 68. A gasket 'I2 isarranged at the inner. end of the plug 69 to seal with the top of the body I0 and the wall ofthe.

opening II." A tubular extension 14 is provided on the lower end of the plug 8 9 and passes through the gasket 1I to enter the port 06. The extension 14 centralizes the gasket 'I2 and retains the gasket in a position where it rcannot close oi! the port I6. A lock nut 15 is threaded on the projecting portion of the png n to' 4 clamp against the upper end of the head I1. A testvalve or bleeder valve 'I1 is provided at the outer end of the discharge opening 88. The valve 11 may be normally closed and when it is desired to determine if there is leakage the -valve 11 may be opened.. As above described,

fluid that may leak to the ends of the plug I2 and .fluid that may leak around the plug I2 is delivered to the discharge opening 68. In other words, there is a single or common bleeder port system terminating at the opening 88 and controlled by the valve 11. 'I'his provides for the full testing .of the plug cock by the operation of the single valve 11. In most cases it is desired to test the plug cock when the plug I2 is in the closed position.

In the alternative or modified construction ilpart 30 is 'fiat to oppose the lower face of the' plug I2. The periphery of the ring part 30* is shaped to denne th inner wall of the groove 21* and the slot 3I. It will be seen that the ring part 30 performs the same functions as thev above-described ring`88.

The construction of Fig. 6^is characterized by ared or tapered axial ports 24* corresponding in location and function to the above described ports 24. The xial or vertical ports 24 Vare designed toassure the unrestricted deliveryA 4 of-the packing P to the groove 21 and the slots 2P. 'I'he ports 24l are tapered or formed to have downwardly flaring walls so that they are of downwardly increasing capacity. 'Prior tothe attachment of the cap 80 to the body Il'VL the tapered ports 24* are easy of formation.` The packing P deliveredto the upper ends of the ports 24n has a greater freedom of movement as it moves downwardly in the tapered ports and the special formation of the ports provides for the easier movement .of the solid packing.

In use or-operation 'it will be assumed that the port and groove system of the means I3 and the pressure developing means are .charged with the packing P.- 'I'he packing P completely occupies all portions of the port and groove system and the ports 38, 38 and 31 for supplying said system. I'he packing may be introduced into the cylinder sleeve 38 in the form of pellets or sticks and upon introduction and operation of the plunger 38 the packing is compressed and forced through the ports. To condition the valve for operation the plunger 38 is screwed down to periphery and the ends of the plug P and spreads in the clearance space about the plug to form gaskets. These gaskets are tightly .engaged against the opposing surfaces of the plug I2 and the body structure and being composed of a unaffected by the fluid handled. 'I'he gasket seals formed at the mouths of the slots 25 prevent circumferential leakage about the plug `I2 at both the downstream and upstream sides of the plug while the gaskets formed at the mouths of the slots 28 and 3l form seals about the op` posite ends of the plug to -prevent leakage at these points. Further, the gaskets formed at the mouths of the slots 28 and the packing P in the grooves 26 prevent fluid from leaking under the head I1. If the plug I2 remains in, say, the closed position for a long period it may be desirable to thread the plunger 38 down from time to time'to assure the maintenance of the gasket seals.

When the plug I2 is to be turned the stem 22 is engaged by a suitable turning tool and the plug is moved to the selected position. If desired, the plunger 38 may be threaded out a short distance prior to this plug turning operation, although this is not essential. 'Ihe plug I2 being cylindrical and fitting a cylindrical opening I5 with clearance, turns readily. The packing P forming the sealing gaskets as above described, usually embodies graphite, lead, grease, etc. and` merelywipes the surface of the plug as the plug turns without offering appreciable rersolid metallic composition are impervious to and sistance to turning lof the plug. 'Ihe plug I2 clears itself and lis free when turned. Turning of the plug 90 to bring it either to the open or closed position r'e-registers the ports 36 with a set of ports 31 so that the packing P in the port and groove system may again be put under high pressure to develop the sealing gaskets.

Having described only typical preferred formsl .and applications of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of thefollowing claims. v'

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A plug cock comprising a body having a fluid passage and an opening intersecting the' passage, a plug in the opening turnable between put the packing P under a very high pressure.

'I'his pressure may of course vary with different operating conditions but is preferably very great,V

say, l20,000 pounds per square inch. 'Ihis high pressure on .the packing P makes the'normally solid packing slightly plastic or formable and causes the packing to. discharge at the mouths of the narrow slots 25, 28 and 3l., It is to be,

assumed, of course, that the plug I2 isjeither in 4the fully closedposition or the fully opened position when the packing P is subjected to the actuating pressure so that the ports 38 register with the ports 31.

The metallic packing P forced from the mouths of the slots ,25, 28 and 3| comes against the open and closed positions, andmeans for sealing with the plug comprising narrow grooves in the body extending axially of the opening at opposite sides of the passage and openat the wall of the opening, there being'annula'r narrow grooves at the upper and lower ends of' the opening in communication with the axial grooves and opposing the ends of the plug, and there being chambers of substantial capacity and joining the inner parts of the rst and second named grooves,

packing material occupying the groov'es andl chambers plastic only under high pressures, Aand means for subjecting the packing material to high pressuresto be extruded from the grooves to form narrow sealing gaskets against the plug.

2. In a plug cock, a body having a fluid passage and an opening intersecting the passage,

a turnable plug in the opening for controlling the passage, an 'end wall of the opening having a narrow` annular groove with its outer end opposing an end of the plug and a chamber of bsubstantial capacityv at the inner end of the groove, metallic packing in the groove and chamber f ormable at high pressures, and means for sage and an opening intersecting the passage, a turnable plug in the opening for controlling the* passage, a part in an end of and closing the opening, the inner end of the part opposing an end ofthe plllg, there being a chamber between the periphery of said part and the Wall of the opening spaced from the inner end of the part, the part being reduced in external diameter to leave a slot of reduced width `which leads from the chamber to the inner end of said part tohave its end opposing said end o the plug, packing material in said chamber and slot normally solid and only plastic at Very high pressure, and means for putting the packing under high pressure-to seal between said part and the wall of the opening and to extrude the packing from the reduced slot to form a narrow sealing gasket which seals against said end of the plug.

4. In a plug cock, a body having a iiuid passage ahd an opening intersecting the passage,

a turnable plug in the opening for controlling the passage, parts in the ends of the opening, the inner ends of said parts opposing the ends of the plug, closures for the ends of the body carrying said partsMthere being spaces between the Wall of the opening and the peripheries of v saidI parts forming annularchambers of substantial capacity spaced from the inner ends of the parts and slots' of reduced width leading from saidv chambers to the inner ends of said parts so that their ends face the adjacent ends of the plug, metallic packing in the chambers and slots formable only under high pressure, and

1 means for subjecting the packing to high pres.

sures to extrude the packing from the slots so that the packing forms narrow sealing gaskets against the ends of the plug'.

5. In a plug cock, a body having sage and an opening intersecting the passage, a turnable plug in the opening for controlling ythe passage, the end parts of the body having chambers of substantial capacity and slots considerably narrower than the chambers and leading from the chambers to the ends of the opening to have their ends facethe adjacent -ends of the plug, the wall of the,-body having axial ports of substantial capacity at opposite sides of the passage connecting with said chambers and narrow axial grooves joining the ports with the opening, metallic packing in said chambers, slots, ports and grooves nornially solid and plastic only under high pressure, and means for'subjecting the packing to high pressures to extrude .it from the 4.slots and grooves to form narrow sealing gaskets against the plug.

6.Aplug cock comprising a body having a iiuid passage and anl opening intersecting the passage, a. plug in= the opening turnable between- Lopen and closed positions, and means for sealing with the plug comprising parts in the end portions of the opening whose ends oppose the ends of the plugs and whose -perlpheriesV a e Aspaced from the wall of the opening vlea chambers of substantial capacity and narrow annular inner ends ofthe parts to oppose the lends oi.'V

.the chambers, narrow axial slots inthe body slots which lead from the chambers to the tions of the opening whose inner ends oppose the ends of the plug and whose peripheries are.

shaped to leave chambers of substantial capacity spaced rom the inner ends of the parts and narrow annular slots which lead from the chambers to the inner ends of said parts to oppose the ends of the plug, ports in the body walls of substantial capacityextending axially of the opening at .opposite sides of the passage and connecting with the chambers, narrow axial slots in the body joined with the ports and communicatingwith said opening, a stem on the plug, metallic packing in the slots, ports and chambers plastic only at high pressures, and means in the stem communicating with the chambers and ports for placing the packing under pressure so that the packing forms metallic gaskets passage, a plug in the opening turnable between open and closed positions, and means for sealing with the plug comprising parts in the end.

portions of theopening whose-peripheries are spaced from the Wall of the opening leaving slots which oppose the ends of the plug, there being narrow axial grooves in the wall of the opening at opposite sides of the passage, the grooves connecting with the slots, the body having tapered axial ports joined with the inner ends of the "grooves and of larger capacity than the grooves,

packing in the slots, grooves and ports normally solid vand plastic only under high pressure, and means .communicating with the ports for putting the packing under pressure to form vsealing gaskets at the mouths of the slots and grooves. 4

9. A plug cock comprising a body having a .uid passage and an opening intersecting the passage, a plug in the opening turnable between [open and closed positions, and means for sealing with the plug comprising parts in the end portions of the opening whose inner ends oppose the ends -of the plug and whose peripheries are spacedfrom the wall of the opening and shaped to leave chambers of substantial capacity and narrow annular slots which lead from the chambers to the inner lends of said parts to oppose the ends of the plug, walls in the body forming ports of substantial capacity extending axially of the opening at oppositevsides of the. passage and connecting the chambers, walls in the body forming narrow axial slots connecting the ports with the opening, packing in the slots,`chambers and ports normally solid and plastic only under high pressure, means for putting the packing under pressure to form sealing gaskets at the slots and grooves, and a single valve controlled bleeder port system 4for bleeding leakage iiuidl from both ends of the opening.

10. A plug cock comprising a body having a fluid passage and an opening intersecting the passage, a plug in the opening turnable between the opposite ends of the plug, means for sealing with the plug at opposite sides of the passage and Joining the rst named sealing means, the body having a system of ports for bleeding leakage iluid from around the plug and from the opposite ends of the plug, and a bleeder Vvalve for controlling the outlet of said system or ports.

11. A plug cock comprising a body having a iiuid passage and an opening intersecting the passage! a plug in the opening turnable between 2,a6o,`1a4 open and closed positions. means for sealing with 10 forY the port system.

SAMUEL C. CARTER. 

